Is it asking too much (school shoe rant) ...

[CarofromWton]

To be able to purchase a pair of sturdy, yet fashionable school shoes for my DD1 in a size 5.5?

I would settle for a decent size 6 (then I could borrow them when she outgrows them!)

Admittedly DD1 has a reputation for being a shoe destroyer. I have bought Clarks, Bootleg, Hush Puppies, Sketchers and cheapo options (George/Shoe Zone) but she can destroy them ALL in less than 4 weeks. She is currently wearing a pair of school shoes which are scuffed and slightly loose, just so she gets to school! I've been trawling the internet all morning trying to find some decent ones in her size, but no joy.

She's fussy about her shoes too, which doesn't help. What do you do with a fashion-conscious 10-year old girl who wrecks shoes?

ARRRRRRRRRGH! Sorry - just needed to rant.

To be honest I would just tell her to wear the ones that fitted regardless of style. You can't be fussy about school shoes. As long as they are black, flat and fit.

How does she destroy them? Are the soles coming apart or something. Can she take a pair of trainers to wear in the playground when doing things which may damage them. I know dd's school allow the juniors to wear trainers in the playground when playing football and stuff at breaktime but they have to change back at other times.

I agree with you island.

Only on Saturday we almost ended up having a row in Clarks because I insisted she wore the 'sensible' shoes that fit her. In the end the sales assistant said that it was probably best to leave it as I would end up having the same argument every morning before school! I'm afraid that, although she is only just 10, DD1 is going through early puberty and has the stature and the attitude of a 14 year old. Trying to keep a calm atmosphere at home atm due to problems with her. Hope she also ends the teenage stuff early.

In answer to your question - cheap shoes last about a week before I notice that she is walking 'over' the sides and the shoes start to bend. The Hush Puppies were a sturdy slip-on shoe with a thick velcro strap at the front, but within 2 weeks of wearing them, the velcro straps used to just ping off whilst she walked! The Sketchers had thin straps over the arch of her foot (she has a v. high instep) and the small metal clasps which held the straps on just kept breaking off. Even my DH started hand-sewing them back on with tough thread (he had to do this 4 times before we just gave up).

I shall ask DD today if they are allowed to wear trainers/pumps in the playground - this could be an option.

Thanks for the advice.

I sympathise. Dd has a high instep and can't wear Clarks, only Start-Rite.

Her school are really strict on shoes so until they get to High school fashion doesn't seem to be a problem.

I have in the past threatened that she should go to school in bare feet and she is only 7!!!

I think Start-Rite are the only ones she's never tried. Would you recommend those for high insteps?

Honestly, I'm with you re: being firm with children and I didn't have a problem with this until this year. A lot can happen in a year. I have another DD who is 4 and she is no problem - they say you never have 2 the same!

Start-Rite shoes are quite deep. However as my dd is only 7 she is still in younger styles, can't speak from experience of older st6yles.

Clarks are just way too shallow for her. They are much more old fashioned in style than Clarks on the whole, no toys in the heel or suchlike.

WE have the high in-step problem too; we have discovered a Danish brand called 'Angulus' which is very good.
Regarding the treading over of the sides - have you considered those corrective in-soles to stop this? Perhaps GP could refer to podiatrist?

Thanks - I'll look into both Startrite & Angulus. Don't give a monkey's about toys in shoes (thankfully out of that stage with DD1).
Upto now haven't thought that there was a problem with the way DD1 walked. We have enough problems with her already! Will bear the possibility in mind.